Many of Newman University Assistant Professor of Education John Burke’s former district leadership licensure students have gone on to become superintendents in their respective school districts.
“The superintendent vacancy list is growing each year,” Burke explained. “It is personally very rewarding to see so many of our program completers receive employment as superintendents and assistant superintendents.”
Making an impact through education: Matt Ward
One such individual is Matt Ward, who serves as superintendent of Augusta USD 402.
His initial connection with Newman University was through his wife, Brooke, an alumna and current director of the sonography program. Ward was a social studies teacher in Shawnee Heights before becoming a building principal and now district superintendent.
When he was looking for a program through which he could complete his district licensure, his familiarity with Newman pulled him in.
“There was a good balance of the more academic side of the process, but also a lot of real-world examples and case studies, conversation and dialogue,” Ward said. “I think what I learned most was from the lens of what other people’s experiences were.”
Now, when Ward talks to other people about Newman’s program, it’s that strength he highlights.
“Professor Burke’s class was particularly strong in that area,” Ward said. “He was able to give us access to certain experiences local to Kansas, not universal concepts in a textbook.”
As for Burke, who has 36 years of experience serving as a school superintendent in Kansas himself, using knowledge from his own experiences lends to his teaching philosophy, which is “to engage students in real-world scenarios where they can work in groups and consider multiple options for solving these issues,” he said. “This reinforces in the students that they should actively reach out to resources like attorneys, the school board association, experienced colleagues and/ or mentors for advice.”
Professor Burke was able to give us access to certain experiences local to Kansas, not universal concepts in a textbook.
Matt Ward, superintendent of Augusta USD 402
Today, in his fourth year as superintendent, Ward reflects on the reason he entered education in the first place: to make an impact.
He originally majored in business in college but shifted to secondary education with a history focus after working as a big box retail store manager.
“It wasn’t so much educating people about the product that I liked, it was just educating people in general and being engaged in that process of teaching and learning,” Ward said.
‘A challenging and stimulating environment’: Joan Simoneau
Another former student of Burke’s is Joan Simoneau, superintendent of Rock Creek USD 323.
“My love for education started with my high school band director, Mr. Koca,” she explained. “His guidance and support helped shape me into the person I am today. I grew up as a military child, which allowed me to experience education in various states in the United States and overseas.”
After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in music education from the University of Nebraska, Simoneau began her teaching career in Logan, Kansas.
Later, she moved to a farm in Burrton, Kansas, where she taught music at various schools, including Wichita East, Cheney and Burrton. After completing her master’s degree, Simoneau became a high school principal and then, in 2016, obtained her district-level licensure from Newman.
Simoneau spent six years as superintendent in Burrton and is currently finishing her first year as superintendent of Rock Creek Schools in Westmoreland and St. George.
“As a superintendent, I have faced new challenges, especially in a rapidly growing district,” Simoneau explained. “Managing a budget that is not fully funded until the following year is a significant challenge. Having enough staff, transportation and space in a district with increasing enrollment can also be difficult. However, I have learned something new every day, which is what makes this role so exciting.”
Newman provided a challenging and stimulating environment that enabled me to develop a broader understanding of the education field.
Joan Simoneau, superintendent of Rock Creek USD 323
She added that her Newman education shaped her career by giving her the knowledge and skills necessary to become a superintendent.
“Newman provided a challenging and stimulating environment that enabled me to develop a broader understanding of the education field,” Simoneau said. “One professor who played a significant role in my education was Professor Burke. He was an outstanding professor who not only taught me valuable lessons but also provided me with valuable perspective when I needed it. I have benefited greatly from his guidance and support.”
Diving in with district-level licensure: Deena Hilbig
Likewise, Burke made his mark on former student Deena Hilbig, the superintendent at USD 327 Ellsworth Kanopolis Geneseo who attended Newman in fall 2015.
Hilbig credits an initial discussion with Burke as the deciding factor in her pursuit of district-level licensure.
“I had been deliberating obtaining coursework for leadership at the next level. However, time invested was a concern of mine as I was working full time as principal, as well as a full-time wife and mom,” Hilbig explained. “I saw an ad one day while reading email. It caught my eye as it said I could achieve district-level licensure in one year. I picked up the phone without reservation and had a conversation with Dr. Burke about the program. The next thing I knew, I was calling my husband, enrolling in the program, and starting class that very next week.
“I was concerned whether I could commit to more while still providing the level of leadership I was akin to providing at the building level,” she said. “Throw life as a busy parent in with it and I was hesitant. He assured me the coursework and time involved with the program was designed to be completed with individuals in mind, just like me.”
Hilbig holds a bachelor’s degree from Emporia State University and a master’s degree from Kansas State University, as well as certification in building leadership and administration.
“I was already providing leadership at the elementary level when I began attending Newman University,” she added. “Having been a building principal for 11 years at that point, I wanted to continue to grow as a professional. I had started working with the Kansas Educational Leadership Institute and was working with first- and second-year principals, mentoring them and providing advanced leadership development, and I really enjoyed it. These experiences inspired me to pursue leadership at a more comprehensive level and acquire district-level leadership licensure.”
Ultimately, for all three — Ward, Simoneau and Hilbig — their decision to attend Newman and study under Burke for their district-level licensure has proven deeply impactful.
A broad network of superintendents
Other superintendents who have studied at Newman include:
- Joe Sample — superintendent, Marais des Cygnes Valley School District
- Glenda LaBarbara — assistant superintendent, Garden City School District
- Jennifer Reed — assistant superintendent, Haysville School District
- Judy Stanley — assistant superintendent, Emporia School District
- Antoinette Root — superintendent, Peabody Burns School District
- John Cox — superintendent, Blue Valley Randolph School District
- Dustin McEwen — superintendent, Smith Center School District
- Matt Smith — superintendent, Wakeeney School District
- Kimberly Woolf — superintendent, Victoria School District
- Cris Seidel — executive director, Tri-County Special Education Cooperative,
- Tara Glades — director, Flint Hills Special Education Cooperative
- Jeff Pegues — assistant superintendent, Parsons School District
- Crystal Steinmetz — assistant executive director, Southwest Plains Regional Service Center
- Lee Schmidt — superintendent, Barnes Hanover Linn School District
- Lora Stalford — assistant superintendent, Coffeyville School District
- Bret Howard — former superintendent, Uniontown School District
- Russell Orton — former superintendent, Wallace County School District
- Matt Rogers — former superintendent, Vermillion School District (deceased)
- Joe Gerber — superintendent, Whitewater Remington School District
- Randy Hendrickson — former superintendent, Pretty Prairie School District
Earn district leadership licensure at Newman
The District Leadership Program is a 15-credit-hour/one-year program leading to preK-12 district leadership licensure.
